closer

Tonight the task of swathing the tiger in red velvet will be complete.

it grew

Blog-lag apologies! I will post more images and entries post-Kolkata.

Last week was so busy with installing, the opening and then recovering. I think everyone has gone into hibernation for a few days.

I will also post Paula's wall text that gives a very good explanation of her curatorial premise.

I'm off to Flury's for a coffee then an afternoon nap.

working hard

I've been trying to write but hands are busy right now. Day two of installing for 'Stains on my Chintz' ... great title!

All works behaving badly, in particular the tiger. The velvet sea is almost done and I'm not leaving the gallery till it's finished.

Oh yes, look at that verandah. My room is just opposite where I'm sitting and sewing.

masala chai

I didn't realise I'd missed my chai on the run stops till I had my first cup on Tuesday morning.
The hot sweet tea, the rough terracotta cup, standing and sipping. A quick pick-me-up.

It's great to be back here in Kolkata, though my time is not so leisurely as before. It's full steam ahead. We begin installing for the exhibition on Tuesday, with four days to complete, and it opens on Saturday 6th Feb, which is also Dominic's birthday.

I'm going into Harrington Street Art Centre this afternoon, to measure up the fireplace and make a template for the velvet spill. Still sewing.

red sea

Bags packed, somewhat overweight.

Contents:

25 kg of glass

6 metres red velvet, gathered and stitched

1 pair scissors

pins

thread - pink and red

Clothes, shoes, yoga mat, notebooks

Heaven's Edge by Romesh Gunesekera,

laptop (almost).

Arriving Kolkata 7.30 pm tonight.

Twelve days till the opening of 'Stains on my Chintz'.

red velvet

Did someone leave this out for me?

drawing (iii)

Here is another thought in red velvet.

drawing (ii)

Here is a thought in red velvet.

possibilities within a space

I've been to the Harrington Arts Centre three times now and I still cannot come to a resolution about my installation.

My room has five doors, two alcoves high up on one wall and a fireplace.

I have one tiger, a very large number of small glass objects and a roll of red velvet. In my mind, they all take flight and move around the room, landing in various configurations that are impossible and hilarious.

purna das road

My third morning here at Khoj. It's quiet, the light in the studio is beautiful.

This week is turning into one of planning, waiting, wandering, exploring.

The residency is comfortable, basic and south of the centre ... about 15 minutes walk from Kalighat Metro stop. Lots going on along the streets, a fabulous market and vendors with stalls along Rash Behari Road, off which Purna Das runs.

I bought these bindis yesterday, along with a bucket. Today I'm sewing some red velvet I brought with me, and imagining a wall or walls covered in such an arrangement.

Oh yes, I found some bones yesterday.